OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Joy in Mudville: A "Friendly" Baseball League Beginning in 1970

Joy in Mudville · 06-24-2008, 12:53 PM

Baltimore--Rewind the tape to the inaugural Joy in Mudville World Series back in 1970. That's the matchup fans will get for this year's Fall Classic.

While times have changed, so have the rules and each club's rosters. For the first time in World Series play, the designated hitter rule will be in effect for the games in the American League park. (Editor's Note: This wasn't the way it worked in real life, but that's the way the computer simulation is set up).

The rule change makes for interesting decisions on both sides. Pittsburgh will likely platoon left-handed hitting Norm Miller and righty Jesus Alou. Baltimore must decide what to do with its DH, hard-hitting Johnny Grubb. Will he take the place of one of the Oriole outfielders, or will Grubb stay on the bench as a potential game-deciding pinch-hitter?

And while some of the core players remain for each of the teams, both the Orioles and Pirates have some new faces since they last met back in '70.

Foremost among these is Bill Buckner of the Pirates. Obtained from Los Angeles in a trade, Buckner finished as the runner-up to teammate Al Oliver in the NL batting race.

The Orioles also acquired a key player from the Dodgers. First baseman Steve Garvey came over to Baltimore in exchange for Davey Johnson and Merv Rettenmund. Garvey took over first base from last year's AL MVP Dick Allen who was dealt to Kansas City for Gold Glove center fielder Amos Otis.

Game one will feature Pirate ace Dock Ellis against Oriole right-hander Tom Seaver. While both won their respective league Cy Young Awards last season, Ellis is a four-time All-Star and Seaver is a two-time selection. Ellis has spent his entire career with Pittsburgh; Seaver came to Baltimore in a January 1971 trade for Mike Cuellar.

Each team features a potent offense and solid pitching staff. Both clubs enter the World Series via sweeps in the league playoffs.

1973 JOY IN MUDVILLE WORLD SERIES: PITTSBURGH vs. BALTIMORE

Probable Lineups:

Pittsburgh Pirates, NL Champions
Dave Cash, 2B
Bill Buckner, RF
Al Oliver, CF
Willie Stargell, LF
Richie Hebner, 3B
Matty Alou, 1B
Norm Miller or Jesus Alou, DH
Milt May, C
Fred Patek, SS

Baltimore Orioles, AL Champions
Billy North, RF
Ken Singleton, LF
Johnny Grubb, DH
Steve Garvey, 1B
Amos Otis, CF
Darrell Evans, 3B
Bobby Grich, 2B
Chris Speier, SS
Bob Boone, C

Pitching Probables:
Game One: Dock Ellis vs. Tom Seaver
Game Two: Bob Moose vs. Jon Matlack
Game Three: Luke Walker vs. Nolan Ryan or Ken Holtzman

Previous World Series Appearances: Pittsburgh--1970; Baltimore--1970 & '72

Previous World Series Matchup: 1970--Baltimore won Series 4-2.

Key Injuries: None

Notes of Interest: There are 248 regular season victories between the two teams. Baltimore won a JIM-record 126; Pittsburgh 102 . . . This marks the fourth straight year the American League Series representative plays its home games on grass and the National League champion plays on artificial turf . . . Pittsburgh catcher Milt May enters the Series with the hottest bat. The NL playoff MVP is 7-for-his last 11 (.636). In addition, May has thrown out 41% of would-be base stealers . . . Game two may provide the best pitching matchup. Pirate right-hander Bob Moose is 3-0 in lifetime post-season starts while Oriole left-hander Jon Matlack is 3-1 in his career post-season outings . . . Pittsburgh is 2-4 in World Series games; Baltimore is 7-6 in Fall Classic action.

06-24-2008, 12:53 PM	#1243 (permalink)
Joy in Mudville Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,192	Orioles, Pirates Set for JIM World Series Rematch Baltimore--Rewind the tape to the inaugural Joy in Mudville World Series back in 1970. That's the matchup fans will get for this year's Fall Classic. While times have changed, so have the rules and each club's rosters. For the first time in World Series play, the designated hitter rule will be in effect for the games in the American League park. (Editor's Note: This wasn't the way it worked in real life, but that's the way the computer simulation is set up). The rule change makes for interesting decisions on both sides. Pittsburgh will likely platoon left-handed hitting Norm Miller and righty Jesus Alou. Baltimore must decide what to do with its DH, hard-hitting Johnny Grubb. Will he take the place of one of the Oriole outfielders, or will Grubb stay on the bench as a potential game-deciding pinch-hitter? And while some of the core players remain for each of the teams, both the Orioles and Pirates have some new faces since they last met back in '70. Foremost among these is Bill Buckner of the Pirates. Obtained from Los Angeles in a trade, Buckner finished as the runner-up to teammate Al Oliver in the NL batting race. The Orioles also acquired a key player from the Dodgers. First baseman Steve Garvey came over to Baltimore in exchange for Davey Johnson and Merv Rettenmund. Garvey took over first base from last year's AL MVP Dick Allen who was dealt to Kansas City for Gold Glove center fielder Amos Otis. Game one will feature Pirate ace Dock Ellis against Oriole right-hander Tom Seaver. While both won their respective league Cy Young Awards last season, Ellis is a four-time All-Star and Seaver is a two-time selection. Ellis has spent his entire career with Pittsburgh; Seaver came to Baltimore in a January 1971 trade for Mike Cuellar. Each team features a potent offense and solid pitching staff. Both clubs enter the World Series via sweeps in the league playoffs. 1973 JOY IN MUDVILLE WORLD SERIES: PITTSBURGH vs. BALTIMORE Probable Lineups: Pittsburgh Pirates, NL Champions Dave Cash, 2B Bill Buckner, RF Al Oliver, CF Willie Stargell, LF Richie Hebner, 3B Matty Alou, 1B Norm Miller or Jesus Alou, DH Milt May, C Fred Patek, SS Baltimore Orioles, AL Champions Billy North, RF Ken Singleton, LF Johnny Grubb, DH Steve Garvey, 1B Amos Otis, CF Darrell Evans, 3B Bobby Grich, 2B Chris Speier, SS Bob Boone, C Pitching Probables: Game One: Dock Ellis vs. Tom Seaver Game Two: Bob Moose vs. Jon Matlack Game Three: Luke Walker vs. Nolan Ryan or Ken Holtzman Previous World Series Appearances: Pittsburgh--1970; Baltimore--1970 & '72 Previous World Series Matchup: 1970--Baltimore won Series 4-2. Key Injuries: None Notes of Interest: There are 248 regular season victories between the two teams. Baltimore won a JIM-record 126; Pittsburgh 102 . . . This marks the fourth straight year the American League Series representative plays its home games on grass and the National League champion plays on artificial turf . . . Pittsburgh catcher Milt May enters the Series with the hottest bat. The NL playoff MVP is 7-for-his last 11 (.636). In addition, May has thrown out 41% of would-be base stealers . . . Game two may provide the best pitching matchup. Pirate right-hander Bob Moose is 3-0 in lifetime post-season starts while Oriole left-hander Jon Matlack is 3-1 in his career post-season outings . . . Pittsburgh is 2-4 in World Series games; Baltimore is 7-6 in Fall Classic action. Attached Images Last edited by Joy in Mudville : 06-25-2008 at 05:39 PM.